Description
Data Modems
In a modem application, beacons are mounted at either end of the required data links and addressable packets of data are exchanged between the Acoustic Communication Stacks using protocols that ensure integrity of data, buffering and reattempting transmission in event of packet loss. Use of the X150 USBL beacons will allow the interrogating end of the link to obtain a relative position of the remote modem during data exchange, while X110 beacons will provide distance between modems. Integrated beacon sensors (such as depth, attitude and supply voltage) may also be remotely queried by the interrogating modem.
AHRS
Each beacon is fitted with a 9 Degrees-of-Freedom (DOF) Attitude and Heading Reference System, taking data from the onboard MEMS gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer to produce pitch, roll and yaw information that is made available to external applications via the communications port.
System Integration
For OEMs, system integrators and developers the serial interfaces, ASCII based command protocol and SDK documentation allow quick integration with existing systems, providing functionality from the Application level (i.e. tracking or bi-directional data-exchange) down to individual protocols within the Acoustic Communication Stack for more specialist requirements. To support the development and testing process, the SeaTrac Utilities software suite provides tools do monitor signal quality, perform basic acoustic operations (ping, data exchange, range and position) and remotely upgrade the beacons firmware.
Applications
- Multi-beacon tracking system (for ROVs, AUVs, Divers etc).
- Remote control and interrogation of sub-sea equipment
- AUV/Diver telemetry links
- Remote depth, attitude and orientation measurement.
